Airbus UK Broughton and Treowen Stars meet in the Welsh Blood Service League Cup Final at Latham Park in Newtown on Saturday 25 April (KO 14:30).
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the game.
Road to the final
Airbus were winners of the Welsh Blood Service League Cup last season and began their defence of the trophy by coming from behind to triumph 3-1 at home over 2024 cup winners Mold Alexandra.
The Wingmakers hosted promotion rivals Holywell Town in Round Two as goals from Danny Warren and George Peers secured a 2-0 victory, before they again had to come from behind to win 3-1 against Newtown at the Hollingsworth Group Stadium in the Quarter-Finals.
There was a fourth consecutive home tie in the Semi-Finals as Afan Lido visited Broughton, with the JD Cymru South side blown away as Airbus triumphed 5-0 to reach back-to-back finals.
Treowen Stars have reached the final of the Welsh Blood Service League Cup in their debut season in the competition, with this being their first ever campaign in the second tier.
It has been an impressive run for Ben Murphy’s side, who knocked out league high-flyers Caerau Ely and Ammanford in the opening two rounds. After a 3-2 away win over the Young Guns, the Stars defeated Ammanford on penalties following a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes at The Rec.
Two goals in the first five minutes were enough to earn a 2-1 home win over Llantwit Major in the Quarter-Finals, before Treowen headed to Buckley Town in the last four. There was late drama at The Globe, as Lewis Green scored an 89th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw before the Stars progressed on penalties.
Recent form
After three years in the second tier, Airbus have secured promotion to the JD Cymru Premier after finishing second in the JD Cymru North.
The Wingmakers, who were the highest scorers in the division with 93 goals to their name, won 14 of their final 15 league matches and concluded with an impressive 3-1 victory over champions Llandudno on the final day last weekend.
Treowen Stars also secured victory on the final day of the league season, triumphing 4-1 over Carmarthen Town to secure a ninth-place finish in their debut campaign in the JD Cymru South.
That halted a run of three consecutive defeats for the Stars – although two of those did come against promoted sides Ammanford and Trefelin – who conceded the second-most goals in the JD Cymru South this season (63) behind only bottom-of-the-table Cwmbran Celtic.
Players to watch
Danny Warren – Airbus UK Broughton
Warren has won this competition in each of the last two seasons, scoring twice as Mold Alexandra defeated Briton Ferry Llansawel in the Final two years ago before grabbing an assist in Airbus’ victory over Trefelin last season.
The 31-year-old has had another impressive campaign in front of goal, netting 16 times in the JD Cymru North to help the Wingmakers to promotion – including two in a 19-minute cameo against champions Llandudno last weekend. Warren has also scored in every round of the Welsh Blood Service League Cup this season.
Lewis Green – Treowen Stars
The man who scored Treowen’s crucial late equaliser in the Semi-Final against Buckley Town will hope to have an impact again at Latham Park on Saturday.
Green scored eight goals in 12 matches in the early stages of the season before an injury ruled him out for four months. The 22-year-old returned this month, with his goal against Buckley followed by another strike in the league win over Carmarthen Town.
Managers’ pre-match thoughts
Mark Allen, Airbus UK Broughton: “It’s the cup that we won last year and we want to retain it. I’m sure they’ll give us a good game and make it difficult for us. But a promotion and a cup win would be the icing on the cake for the season.”
Ben Murphy, Treowen Stars: “I’m really proud of how the boys have performed to get to this point. To reach a cup final in our first season at this level is a fantastic achievement, especially given the quality of opposition we have faced along the way. We’ve been written off in pretty much every round but each time the players have found a way to respond.”
Match Officials
Referee: Iolo Williams
Assistant Referee 1: Ethan Goatley
Assistant Referee 2: Andrew Dogan
Fourth Official: Daniel Richardson
The venue
Latham Park hosts the Welsh Blood Service League Cup Final for the third time in four seasons, after Barry Town United lifted the trophy there in 2023 and Mold Alexandra did so in 2024.
Ticket information
Tickets for the final will be available to buy on the gate, costing £5 for adults and £2 for concessions.
Semi-Final recap
Welsh Blood Service
Donate blood and save lives
